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DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
ROTARYDOWNUNDER.ORG | 21 |
Not only aid but
... SmartAidTM
Our standing on the
international stage
continues to draw
praise, with our
Disaster Aid Response
Teams (DARTs) and
other volunteers
constantly engaged,
most recently in
Ecuador. And we
continue to grow
internationally, with the Rotary Club of
Plaza Matriz in Uruguay (average age
32) establishing Disaster Aid Uruguay,
while District 3460 has set up Disaster
Aid Taiwan. We now have Rotary
club partners in Australia, Colombia,
India, Malaysia, NZ, the UK and Ireland
and the USA, with clubs in other
countries interested.
Arising out of our Australian
conference, we are now using the word
SmartAidTM to also describe how and
what we do.
“Working with those affected by
disasters and supplying what they want,
not what we think they need, and
sourcing those materials locally where
possible” is acknowledged by those in
the humanitarian aid world as being
innovative and practical ... SmartAidTM.
The UN is encouraging other agencies
to adopt the Disaster Aid methodology.
For instance, in Fiji after Cyclone
Winston, our DART volunteer Craig
Roberts was invited to speak about our
methodology to the 41 NGOs assisting
the aid efforts under the UN and the
Fijian Government’s Shelter Cluster Fiji.
Disaster Aid Colombia, a project of
the Rotary Club of Bogata-Eusaquillo,
launched their project, Safe Water for
Rural Schools, where they are seeking a
Foundation global grant of $96,000 to
fund Australian SkyHydrants in 67 rural
schools in Colombia. I urge districts to
please support this at http://ideas.rotary.
org/Project/Profile/5922a015-0662-
493e-b209-2a1088ba1462.
Thank you for your support and
interest. 
Disaster Aid
International
David
Langworthy
Chairman, DAI
We always welcome enquiries from
Rotary clubs about becoming a Disaster
Aid Australia representative in their
district. Contact us at
info@disasteraidaustralia.org.au
and follow us at
www.facebook.com/disasteraidaustralia
Fundraising
idea stranger
than fiction
BIFF! Bang! Kapow! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the Central Coast’s first
comic convention.
When East Gosford Rotarian Dr Diane Bull first suggested the club run a
comic convention, the other members thought she was joking. But she soon
convinced them it was indeed a unique way to raise funds for youth mental
health issues, while tapping into the vibrant pop culture that is currently so
popular. Over the next 14 months, Diane worked tirelessly to organise the
NSW Central Coast’s first Comiccon.
Diane, a practising psychologist, has long been aware of the need to
cater for the many young people on the Central Coast experiencing anxiety,
depression and other symptoms of mental illness. Without support, many
of them will drop out of school, leading possibly to a lifetime of under
achievement, unemployment and homelessness. The programs that should
provide assistance are woefully underfunded.
On May 7 this year, more than 1400 people, many dressed as fantasy
figures, superheroes or villains, packed out the Central Coast Leagues Club at
Gosford. Among the crowd, competing for cosplay prizes were Stormtroopers,
Chewbacca, Darth Vader, The Joker, Freddy Krueger, Poison Ivy and even
a married Shrek and Princess Fiona, played by current club president Rod
Chippindale and his wife Joan. There were comics, superheroes, gaming
exhibits, a light sabre display, as well as members from the 501st legion to
ensure a strong Stormtrooper presence.
Diane and the Rotary Club of East Gosford were thrilled with the response
from the community. Almost $20,000 was raised and they have assured all
the fans who came that the force will reawaken on May 6, 2017. 
FAR LEFT: Adult Male Cosplay
Winner Jeff Phillips. LEFT: The
Joker John Sellers. BELOW:
The 2016 comic convention
raised almost $20,000 for
youth mental health.